UEFA Europa League
Result: Red Star Belgrade 0-1 Arsenal
Date: 19 October 2017
Venue: Stadion Rajko Mitic
Olivier Giroud struck late in the second half to earn Arsenal a 1-0 win over Red Star Belgrade in their UEFA Europa League encounter on Thursday evening.
Jack Wilshere, Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott returned to the Gunners line-up, while Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil were left out of the squad.
Arsenal could have broken the deadlock in the 15th minute when the ball fell for Theo Walcott 10-yards out, but the forward failed to beat goalkeeper Milan Borjan.
The hosts went even closer to scoring after 26 minutes as Richmond Boakye rattled the frame of the goal with a header from close range.
Petr Cech came to Arsenal's rescue five minutes later, as the shot-stopper produced a good save at his near post to deny Nemanja Radonjic.
The score remained 0-0 at the halftime break.
The hosts looked threatening in the opening stages of the second half, as Cech was forced into two saves to deny Nedada Krsticic and Slavoljub Srnic.
Cech proved to be the busier of the two goalkeepers, and he was forced into another save in the 68th minute, this time denying Radonjic from close range.
Red Star were then dealt a blow on 80 minutes when Milan Rodic was sent off after picking up his second yellow card of the game.
Five minutes later, Arsenal took the lead as some good work by Wilshere and Walcott ended with Giroud finding the back of the net with an acrobatic finish.
The win sees Arsene Wenger's men remain top of Group H with three wins from their opening three matches.
